Excelsior-cutting machine



(No Model.) 3 sheetssheet 1 o. '11. WHITMAN, EXCELSIOR CUTTING MAGHINE.

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TME NATIONAL LnHaaRAPHINa cuMFANY.

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EXCELSIOR CUTTING MACHINE. No. 519,214.

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EXCELSIOR CUTTING MACHINE. No. 519,214. Patented May' 1,1894.

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NQ: CA

i UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES I-I. WHITMAN, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

FEXCELSIOR-CUTTI NG MACH N E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,214, dated May 1, 1894.

Application filed April 8, 1893. Serial No. 469553.

T0 a/ZZ whom it may concern: Beit known that I, CHARLES I-I. WHITMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excelsior-CuttingMachines; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use 4the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

i My invention relates to excelsior machines, or machines designed to cut wood into narrow thin strips or shavings vdenominated eX- celsior, and it consists in the combinations and arrangements of the mechanism herein` after described and pointed out in the claims.`

In the drawings, Figure 1 representsaside elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 represents a plan or top view of the table and mechanism for holding the `blocks and feeding the same to the cutters. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the table, `feeding screw and car-` rying mechanism forA the holding devices, partly insection. Fig. 4 is an illustration of the turret upon which the feeding mechanism is arranged, as shown in Fig. l.` Fig. 5 isa cross section of Fig. 3 on the line zo, ai, show`- ing a split nut engaging the screw, and means for operating the same. Fig. 6 showsa detail of the cam disk and lever operating the split nut. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the machine from the point of observation ofthe operator. Fig. 8 shows a section of the-chain and means for attachment of the links. Figs. 9 and l0` are detail figures showing the construction of` the adjustable knife, and mode of attachment to the chain. Figs. l1 and 12 are detail `figures illustrating the rotary cutters or slitters.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

In the drawings, A represents the foundation; A', the main frame; A2, a frame elevated thereon and carrying the upper sprocket wheel. e e

` B, B', represent sprocket wheels or carrying wheels, over which a double endless chain, C, is driven in the direction of the arrows.

`The lower of these sprocket wheels, B, is

journaled in pillow-blocks, B2, which `are solidly attached to the foundation, and in which are formed jaws, b. h represents bearings (No model.)

sliding in the jaws b, for the axle b2 of the sprocket wheel B. Lugs b3, which are thread` ed, are formed on the outer side of the pillow blocks. Similar lugs, b4, project from the side of the bearings outwardly and are adapted to receive the thrust of the end of two screws, b5, b5, which are threaded in the lugs,

193,63. The upper ends of these screws pro-` ject through the floor, and are adapted to be turned so` as to adjust the tension upon the chains C. The upper wheel is fixed in ordi-l nary bearings of the usual construction, as shown in Fig. 1, and which construction needs no detailed description.

The chains, C, C, are constructed of sections, c, c, c, and which are shown in detail in Fig. 8; The sections `are of appropriate length to correspond with the spaces between the sprockets of the sprocket wheels.` They are halved together, as shown at c', c', in Fig.`

8, the contiguous ends being curved upon a j radius equal to the line drawn from the center of the halved portion. As shown at c2 in Fig. 8, there is a cross bar c3 connecting the two chains," andwhich passes through holes .formed in each of the halved portions in such manner that it forms a bearing upon which the portions turn, and at the same time serves `to connect the linkstogetheru in a parallel position. As illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10,`

certain of these bars are modified in structl ure, as well as their attachments to the sections of the chains.` As shown` in Fig. 8 at c6, instead of the `holethrough the halved inner section of the chains'being round,itis squaged,

whereasthe hole through the corresponding outer halved section of the succeeding link or section is round. A bar, c7, is formed in such manner that it has a squared portion, cs, at either end, which t the squared holes heretofore described, while the continuation of the bar, after passing through the halved inner section, is roundedto fit the round hole of the outer section, so that the link corresponding thereto can readily be rotated upon the round portion as abearing. 4`It is obvious that this form of construction prevents the barc7 from rotating in `connection with the inner links of the chain. Interiorly, there are formed upon the bar c7, flattened projections, o9, c.

These projections are 'pierced IOO with holes cl", cw. Uponthese flattened rectangular portions, c", o9, is adapted to be placed a knife bar, c, and by means of longitudinal holes at either endthereof, it is adapted to be adj ustably fastened by screw bolts, cl2, cl2, the holes, 010, being threaded to receive the bolts through the longitudinal holes in the bar c11,it is plain that the knife may be transversely adjusted with reference to the bar c7, and rigidly held in position by means of the tightening of the bolts. The plane of the viattened Vrectangular portions ot' the bar c7 is formed at an angle with the longitudinal plane of the links of the chain, so that the knife edge is brought out to a plane beyond the plane of the face of the links at any angle thereto that may be deemed the best for the purpose. It is obvious that this angularity of the plane of the knife thus cre ated, and the plane of the links of the chain to which it is attached, combined with the adjustment of the knife as hereinbefore described, permits an adjustment of the distance or thrust of the knife beyond the face of the chain. This enables the operator to so adjust the knife that it will cut shavings of varying thickness from the material to be operated upon, as may be desired; it is also combined with the feeding mechanism, as hereinafter described, in such manner that by means of both, the proper adjustment can always be made to suit the work that is desired to be done. Any convenient number of the knives may be attached, and form portions of the double chain cutter thus described, of which two are shown in Fig. 7, it being the purpose to have a number sufficient so that the feeding mechanism will feed up the material to be worked during the time intervening between the passage of the knives, on the rotation of the sprocket wheels and travel of the chain to just the distance that is desired for the thickness of the cut in the material. It is obvious, therefore, that a number can be attached to the chain, and the feeding mechanism s0 adj usted as to rapidity of motion, that a number of cuts can be taken off of the material during one revolution of the chain, and as such revolution is continuous, the material is continually operated upon until the block is manufactured into excelsior. Formed in the frame A upon this portion opposite thev feeding mechanism are slides D, upon which the links of the chain in descending upon that side are guided and held firmly up, so that the knives are not allowed to flinch from the work they are required to do. Suitable guides may be eml ployed at other points, if desired, to prevent any trembling or undue vibration of the chain as the sprocket wheels are rotated. Upon certain of the cross v'bars between the knives, is journaled a lnumber of disks, T, as shown in Figs. 7, 1l and 12,'with sharp edges, which are of the proper diameter to sufficiently project beyond the edge of the knives c11 to cut into as they rotate over the block and thus become rotary slitters. The sprocket wheels and chain may be driven by any appropriate mechanism from the countershaft, as is shown inrFig. l, and, as such constructions are common, it is unnecessary to be described in detail.

The feeding mechanism consistsof a table, E, opposite the chain, moving between guides E', as shown in Fig. 7. This table carries underneath it a screw F, which is journaled by appropriate bearings at either end, and which is driven by gearing,f, f. This gearing is driven from the countershaft by an appropriate belt. The speed of the screw is reduced so as to give a proper amount of feed, as hereinafter described. Traveling upon the screw is a split nut G, which, when closed, engages the screw, and is compelled to travel in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 3, toward the cutters upon the chain, and carrying with it a traveling table E.

In a recess cut within the traveling table, which is more particularly shown in cross section in Fig. 5, there is located a mechanism operating a split nut. The nut itself consists of two jaws pivoted together at g, and fitting longitudinally within the recess, so that the longitudinal motion of the nut upon `the screw compels the traveling of the table E. Transversely, the recess 72, is wider than the arms at gef the nut. nut G are prolonged beyond the pivotal point g, and engage in grooves in the under face of a cam disk J, which face is shown in Fig. 6, the arms of the nut being shown in section. This disk is located in a transverse slot, h', which is out in the side of the table E. The cam disk J has projecting therefrom` a lever arm K, which is of sufficient length to project out through the slot in the table E and engage as hereinafter explained with the abutments or lugs, 7c, 70,-upon the guides E. It is obvious that the rotation of the cam disk J would compel the closing or compression of the jaws of the nut G, depending upon which way the disk was rotated, and, as the' disk is rotated by means of the lever K engaging upon the abutments of the guides, it is obvious that the jaws of the nut are opened or closed by the reciprocations of the traveling table E throughout a distance sufficient to permit the engagement of the lever arm K with the abutments. The parts are so adj usted that, as the traveling table E approaches the cutting chain at the.extreme length of its movement, the lever arm K engages with the abutmentc upon the guide of the table, and rotates the cam disk J in the direction of the hands of a watch. The slits therein are cut ywith the curvatures in such direction that the rotation of the disk in that direction operates the jaws to open them and disengage the nut from the screw. The forward movement of the table thereupon is discontinued, although the screw continues to rotate.

Means are provided for returning the table E to the opposite and outer end of the frame,

The upper ends of the which consistin the weight, L, attached to a cord passing over a pulley M, the opposite end of which is attached to a lug M,attached to the traveling table E. The instant the :nut is` released, the action of theweight withdraws the table E from its position adjacent to the chain and cutters and in theposition shown in Fig. 1..'At this point the lever arm K comes in contactwith the abutment 7c', and

the continued motion backward of the traveling table, by meansthereof, rotates the cam disk to the reverse position, permitting and compelling the jaws of the split nut G to close upon and engage the screw, whereupon the screw again forces the traveling table E with its attachments toward Athe cutters, thereby lifting the weight L, untilthe nut Gr is disengaged, as hereinbefore stated, from the screw, whereupon the weight instantly withdraws the table as before stated. This operation is thus kept up continuously so long as the majl chine is in operation. j

The holding mechanism which is. intended to receive and present the block `of `wood to the cutters consists primarily of a turret N which rotates about a perpendicular axis, and

. by means of an axle n, shown more particularly `in Fig. t,"whch axle is inserted ina bearing, n', formed in the traveling table E,

` shown in section in Fig. 3. The upper face the block by a lever and cam movement, p2, and as this form of construction yis old and well knowmand as it doesnot constitute any portion of my invention, it is not deemed necessary to describe it further. It is obvious that the clamping of the block could be done by means of any of the old and `well-known forms, that particular feature not being es-` sential.` n j l i As shown in the drawings, especially Fig. 2, there are three of the standards and clamps arranged upon the upper face of the turret. As will be hereinafter seen`depending upon the size of the turret and the adjustment of parts, any convenient number of standards and clamps may be so arranged as will best serve the convenience of the operators in oper ating'the machine. The under face of the turret has three radial grooves extending from the periphery to the axle. These grooves are shown in detail in Fig. 4, and are marked n2.

In a longitudinallyperpendicular groove h2 inthe traveling table, as'shown partly in section in Fig. 3,there` operates a pawl 71,3. This pawl is pivoted in a recess, h4, formed in the frame of the machine, and directly moves longitudinally with reference to the pawl in carrying the turret. The adjust'-V ment is such that the traveling table in moving forward disengages the pawl from the grooves upon the under face of the turret N, and the turret thereby is not compelled to rotate. On the retreat of the table, the pawl drops into the groove, and the table continues to move to the rear, the engagement of the pawl with the turret compels the turret` to rotate, the pawl slipping throughthe groove from a position near thecenter ofthe turret toa position near its circumferenceas it ro-V fates. This construction compels the turret,

to rotate in the machine, as described, one third of a revolution at each reverse motion of the table.- The grooves are soadjusted with reference to the clamps upon the upper face of the turrets, as shownin Fig. 2, that the rotation that is given to the turret pre-V sents, upon the "forward motion of the tur-A ret, the face of the next succeeding blockto theV cutters. In the periphery of the turret are formed stops in the nature of holes, which may be round or of any desired form. 4One is shown at @sin Fig. l. Upon the traveling table E there is arranged a spring bolt,Q,

passing through two lugs, r, r, fixed upon the` upper surface of the table. The spring R is located between thelugs, one end ofiwhich is attached tothe boltQ, and the opposite end of which abuts against a lug. 'The inner end'v of the bolt projects far enough so that when thrust forwardto its extreme length, it is adapted to engage in the stop `holes n3 inthe turret, and thus holds the turret rigidly in position. At the'outer end of thebolt Q, there is attached a lever, R2, pivoted about `an axis attached to the traveling table E.

This lever serves to withdraw the bolt from its engagement with the turret and against the tension of the spring. Aiplan view of these details is shown in Fig. 2, and they are shown in elevation in Fig. l.

Itwill be noticed thatthe outer end of the lever R2 projects beyond the traveling table and guides,and also downwardlybelowthe horizontal surface of the table. Upon the guide there is pivotally attached a ratchet lever, 7s', and which is adapted to rise above the surfaceof the guide, the lower portioniof which comes in contact with the upper surface of the frame. This is so adjusted that,

upon the forward movement of the traveling table, the leverR2 will depress the ratchet lever `le and slip over it, thus leaving the IOO spring bolt engaged with the turret, but on the retreat of the traveling table, the outer end of the lever R2 will engage with the ratchet lever 7c', and as the ratchet is prevented from rotating by means of its opposite arm being in contact with the top of the frame, it operates the lever R2 to withdraw the bolt from its engagement with the turret, thus permitting the turret to rotate. The parts are so adjusted that at this instant the pawl h3 comes into engagement with the grooves upon the under face of the turret, and initiates its rotary movement. This rotary movement is continued by the withdrawal of the traveling table, until again forced by the engagement of the nut with the screw, when the lever R2 is disengaged from the stop 7c', and the spring bolt comes inline with the next hole n3, when it immediately slips into it and locks the turret in position at this instant, simultaneously with bringing the next succeeding block in proper position, face side to the cutters. In the meantime, the operators are withdrawing the remnants of blocks from the locking devices, and reinse'rting new blocks in place, and locking them by means of clamping mechanism. It will be observed that the motion is thus automatically continuous without the interference of manual labor, except so far as it is necessary to supply blocks and lock them in position.

In connection with this machine, there may be arranged chutes or other devices for carrying off the excelsior, but which in themselves form no part of my invention, and

hence are not described nor illustrated.

The mode of operation is sufficiently obvious from the description heretofore given.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In an excelsior cutting machine, the combination of sprocket wheels carrying an endless chain having attached thereto cutters and rotating slitters, consisting of sharp edged disks and guides within which such chain operates, and which rigidly hold the cutters and slitters in their movement against the resistance of the material to be operated upon, substantially as described.

2. In an excelsior cutting machine, the com- 5( bination of a continuously rotating driving screw, a split nut operating thereon, a reciprocating traveling table connected with said split nut and driven forward by it, means whereby at either extremity of the movement of the traveling table said split nut is disengaged and engaged respectively with said rotating screw, an intermittently rotating turret located upon said table, means for compelling the partial rotation of said turret synchronously with the rearward reciprocations of the traveling table, and stops adapted to hold the turret in position during the forward reciprocation of the traveling table, substantially as described.

3. In an excelsior cutting machine, the combination of a continuously rotating driving screw, a split nut operating thereon, a reciprocating traveling table connected with said split nut and driven forward by it, means whereby at either extremity of the movement of the traveling table said split nut is disengaged and engaged respectively with said rotating screw, an intermittently rotating tur/l ret located upon said table, means for compelling the partial rotation of said turret synchronously with the rearward reciprocations of the traveling table, stops adapted to hold the turret in position during the forward reciprocation of the traveling table, and means whereby the said screw is continuously driven in one direction,.substantially as shown and described.

4. In acutter for an excelsior machine, the combination of a transverse bar pivotally uniting the adjacent links of two endless sprocket chains, and carrying an adjustable cutter, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign -this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES II. WHITMAN. Witnesses:

R. A. PARKER, MARION A. REEvE. 

